But a moment later, she steeled herself.
After being deceived by Domenic for so long, it wasn’t easy for her to trust him again.
“What did you find?” Lindsey asked, her voice steady and cool.
Domenic’s gaze darkened as he looked at her.
“I started noticing that all the girls close to me began vanishing without a trace.
Eventually, I discovered it was my grandpa’s doing; he was the one behind their disappearances.
He removed those girls out of my life.
”
Lindsey’s eyes widened once more as she exclaimed, “What? Why?”
“He despises any woman who reminds him of my mother,” Domenic explained, his voice heavy with resignation.
“He’s burdened me with all his regrets and expectations.
He controls everything about me, even deciding who I should marry.
He won’t be satisfied until he’s made that choice himself.
If he learns about you, he’ll treat you just like those girls who vanished.
I know all too well how ruthless he can be and the brutal infighting of power within my family.
I’m scared you’ll get dragged into this.
I can’t say for certain that I can protect you effectively.
”
As he spoke, Domenic’s hand tensed, and a shadow passed over his deep-set eyes, which he then cast downward toward Lindsey.
Observing the loneliness etched across Domenic’s face, Lindsey bit her lip gently.
Before, she would have trusted him without a second thought.
But after what happened that night, her certainty wavered.
He seemed like a stranger, yet the most familiar one.
She wanted to believe him, yet she doubted whether she should.
“You’ve lied to me a lot.
How can I be sure you’re telling the truth this time? Maybe it’s just another one of your lies.
”
Domenic knew it was too much to expect Lindsey to come to terms with everything right away.
He didn’t anticipate her forgiveness immediately but understood there was a long journey ahead to regain her trust.
Speaking softly, he confided, “You’re the first to hear about my past, the things that happened, things not even my grandpa knows about from the asylum days.
I’m not telling you this expecting forgiveness now.
I’ve shared the darkest parts of my life with you to show that from here on out, there will be no secrets between us.
I’m committed to full transparency, and I’ll prove through my actions that I’m sincere, without any deceit.
I will mend the heart I’ve broken, no matter the obstacles or the time it takes.
I won’t give up because I love you.
Married or not, you are the one I love.
”
Tears welled up in Lindsey’s eyes as she listened to him.
She was touched, yet she fought the impulse to trust blindly once more.
Over and over, she reminded herself not to fall for his tricks again.
His lies had been so skillful that she had fallen for it time and again.
The idea that he could charm his way back into her favor with mere words was laughable!
With fists tightly clenched, Lindsey peered into his eyes, searching for any sign of sincerity in his gaze.
.
.
Library
However, his eyes were like dark whirlpools, pulling her in effortlessly, and she quickly averted her gaze.
“I won’t fall for your lies again,” Lindsey declared.
“I understand,” Domenic replied.
He then looked at her tenderly and said with resolve, “You might choose not to trust me, but I am determined to earn your trust back. holds text © rights.
”
Lindsey avoided his gaze, fearing she might succumb to his allure once more.
“You can stay in my room tonight.
Don’t worry; I won’t do anything you’re not comfortable with until you trust me again,” Domenic proposed earnestly.
Noting the uncertainty still present in Lindsey’s eyes, he continued, “I’m doing this to protect you.
You might distrust me, but can you let me protect you? You know my grandpa…”
Interrupting him, Lindsey looked up and said, “I can stay in your room, but I don’t want to share a bed with you.
”
Realizing she had agreed, Domenic’s relief was palpable.
He smiled warmly and replied, “Okay, we’ll do it your way.
”
As the night grew colder, Domenic took off his suit jacket and draped it over Lindsey’s shoulders.
“Let’s head back,” he suggested.
Lindsey nodded, her head bowed.
Meanwhile, in his deluxe suite, Jordan paced restlessly while his butler stood by, pressing his earphones closer to listen intently.
After a moment, the butler said, “I understand.
”
He then turned to Jordan and reported, “Sir, Domenic has taken Lindsey Stewart to his room.
”